Lifting-jack



JOI-IN CALLAGHAN, OF STROUDS GLADES, VIRGINIA.

LIFTINGr-J ACK.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 18,955, dated December 29s 1857.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN CALLAGHAN, of Strouds Glades, in the county ofNicholas and State of Virginia, have invented, made, and used a certainnew and useful Apparatus or Lifting-Jack for Lifting Saw-Logs and otherHeavy Timber; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, Figure lshowing the apparatus complete as applied to the lifting of a saw-log.Fig. 2 is the double fulcrum lever and hitching chain.

The nature of my invention consists in constructing a lifting apparatus,wherein I employ a lever alternating or changing its fulcrum, said leveralso ascending in its course of action. That is to say, instead ofhaving a fixed fulcrum and permanent lever thereto, the lever isdetached, and merely rests on its fulcra. I employ, therefore, twomovable fulcrums in the form of two bolts or pins, inserted in suitableholes, arranged equidistant from each other, but not oppositehorizontally, but are so arranged that if lines or dots be drawn fromone hole to another across an angle of 30 degrees, said lines or dotswill indicate a right angle triangular position as shown in Fig. 1 belowthe bolts or pins.

The more clearly however to show the nature of my invention, I willdescribe the construction, and explain the application thereof.

In Fig. l is shown or represented a longitudinal piece of timber ofsuitable size, and similar in shape to a, a, a, a, a, from six to eightfeet long, and having its center mortised out, as at b, b, Z9.Horizontally through the side of this opening, at equal distances, fromeach other, in two longitudi- 1 nal rows, are series of holes c, c, c,c, c, of

suitable size; say from three-fourths to one inch bore. In said holesare to be employed two bolts or pins of iron with heads or handles as atZZ, e. These bolts are both attached to a chain f, f, f. A lever g, g,g, Fig. 2, of suitable size, is employed, having formed near its buttend, two notch like formations ZZ, z', and between said notches is ahole in which is fastened a chain, y', j, j, with hook 7c, Fig. 2.

Now in order to apply my apparatus, the detachable bolts or pins d, d,e, e, are inserted in the desired holes near the base or lower end ofthe ack. The butt-end of the lever g, g, g, is inserted in the slot ormortise Z), b, Z), the chain j, j, passing between the bolts or pins asindicated by the faint links in Fig. l. This will bring the notch z' torest on the fulcrum (Z, oZ. The chain j, y', j, is then to be passedunder the log or timber to be lifted, and to the hook end of the chainis connected a stay-pole Z, Z, one end of which must rest on the upperor top side of the log, while the other end rests on the ground. Now inorder to lift a log so as to deposit it on a wagon for transportation,all that is requisite is to press down the end of the lever g, g, g,when the notch L presses down and rests on the fulcrum e, e, the leveris held down in position, and the bolt or fulcrum cZ, d, is drawn out,and inserted in the next hole above, when the notch z', again rests onsaid bolt d, oZ, and in the act of lifting, or raising up the lever thebolt ZZ, eZ, becomes the fulcrum, and the log also rises. The lever isheld in position upward, and the bolt e, c, is withdrawn and inserted inthe next hole above, and this bolt e, e, thenA becomes the fulcrum ofthe lever. In this position the lever will remain, without any othersupport than merely the pressure or weight of the log. In this manneralternately changing the bolts in the next holes above, and by operatingthe lever as described, the log must necessarily follow the draft of thechain, as the lever ascends, and the fulcrums are changed upwardly. Inadjusting alog upon a wagon for transportation, one man and one boy canreadily accomplish with the aid of my lifting apparatus what underordinary circumstances would require two and three men. While the manoperates the lever g, g, g, a boy may draw out and insert the bolts orpins in their respective places; and when the end of the log is at aproper height the wagon to haul it is merely driven or backed under thelog, and each end thereof deposited in place.

When the apparatus is arranged in position as shown in Fig. 1, the wholextures with the log will stand in place with any agency other than thestay pole Z, Z, whose end being held against the upper side of the log,keeps the log pressing against the chain and the jack, the pressure, andgravity of the log in reality mainly causing the vvhole apparatus tomaintain itself in position. When smaller logs are being lifted the endof the stay pole need not eX- tend so far over the top of the log m, m,m.

SO very simple is my lifting apparatus that any ordinary Workman or handabout a farm, can construct one, and apply it most readily to almostevery purpose of litfing heavy timber or articles. The Whole apparatusis so portable and substantial With all, as Well as cheap Ofconstruction, that it is available to every sawmill, lumberman` andfarmer Where called into use. It is deemed useless to enter more atlength respecting the advantages of my improved apparatus, and beingfully aware thatlifting jacks Of various kinds With lever ap- JOHNOALLAGHAN. v[L 5.]

Witnesses:

ROBERT D. CALLAGHAN, JOHN S. GALLAHER, Jr.

